1. How has social media changed reading and writing processes in the digital age?
Readers are engaged with the text. They click on links, read and comment on other users' text, and share information with the world. There is a close relationship between reading and writing. The users see themselves as authors, and value that role. Authors have more of an opportunity to have their material read. They don't have to wait for someone else to publish their work; they can put it out there themselves.
2. Explain "cosmopolitan practice" in relation to digital literacies and it means for learning in school.
It is the idea that we should be citizens of the world. While we embrace our local heritage and connections, we can also reach out to the rest of the world. And being digitally literate gives us the opportunity to do that. We can communicate with someone half way around the world. We can video chat, blog, email, send videos, and so much more. But we must learn to be "hospitable" in our interactions. Sensitivity and respect are important when we are engaging in social networking. We have to carefully choose our words and images, as to not offend someone who may interpret our communication in a negative way based on their particular culture. It is basically manners in a digital form.
3. How did the cosmopolitan conversation video challenge support critical media literacy?
The youth were engaging with people different than themselves. They came from different backgrounds, and had different values and points of view. But they were able to view the videos, analyze them, and provide respectful and "hospitable" feedback to the authors.
4. How does this quote from the text, "In this digital age, traditional content creation such as book reports, unit projects and essays, cannot be merely digitized and regulated to the end of the unit as capstone demonstrations of content mastery," make you think about how digital technologies should be used to support learning in school?
I believe digital technology should be woven into all parts of our curriculum. In a lot of classrooms, technology is used only to type up stories or essays. That is not utilizing technology to its full potential. You might as well just give them a typewriter. There is so much more you can do to help your students become digitally literate. They can contribute to a classroom blog or communicate with students around the world. They can create podcasts or digital stories about content they are learning about. They can research topics using TrackStar or WebQuests. Technology should support curriculum throughout the entire learning process, not just as a stand alone.
5. How do the digital stories you watch this week support the concept of cosmopolitanism?
We are connecting with people from different backgrounds and experiences than ourselves. Anyone can contribute; there is no exclusivity. We can respectfully provide critique and commentary about our interpretations of what we are seeing.
"Through social media outlets, more people of diverse ages, nationalities, genders, and socioeconomic positions produce news, comment on social issues, and even stage revolutions."
I chose this quote because I love how social media gives everyone a voice, no matter who they are or where they come from. Anyone can voice their opinion. It gets people talking to each other, and talking to people they wouldn't have an opportunity to in their everyday lives.
I can even see this happening in my classroom. My enrichment reading students and I have created a classroom blog. They are blogging about their thoughts and opinions on the novel we are reading. They are reading and commenting on their peers' posts. They are really owning their writing; they choose their words carefully and they care about what they are writing because they know their classmates will be reading it. I can see it on their faces and I hear it in their conversations; they feel like legitimate writers and that what they write matters. Even though they are only ten, social media gives them an outlet to let their voices be heard.
I chose this image because I think it captures the meaning of cosmopolitan practice perfectly. This is what it is all about; connecting people from around the world. Learning to embrace and respect others' through digital literacy.
Sources
Avila, J., & Pandya, J. (2013). Critical digital literacies as social praxis. (Vol. 54). New York: NY: Peter Lang Publishing Inc.
Image retrieved from Walk the World at http://www.walktheworld.org.uk/
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